Blumenfeld's Dictionary of Musical Theater (Limelight) [Paperback]

Robert Blumenfeld (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2010

Have you heard of the first American musical, The Black Crook, which opened in 1866 and had fifteen revivals? Do you know Oscar Straus's hilarious parody of Wagner's Ring cycle, Die lustigen Nibelungen (The Merry Nibelungs)? Do you know who the Ricci brothers, the Piccinni family, Edmond Audran, David Braham, or Francois-Joseph Gossec were? Look them up in this remarkable, thoroughly researched, lively book. Packed with nearly 1,800 entries, this is a must-have research tool and handy reference for the theater and music lover, student, teacher, professional singer, director, and producer! Meant as a supplement and companion to Blumenfeld's Dictionary of Acting and Show Business (Limelight, 2009), this unique dictionary is chock-full of information about all the various genres of musical theater; thumbnail plot summaries of works well-known and obscure; thumbnail biographies of composers and writers; and dance, theatrical, singing, and music terminology. Historical terms and foreign terms (with pronunciations) are included along with information on available recordings of many obscure pieces. Convenient lists of the works of Verdi, Puccini, Wagner, Gilbert and Sullivan, Sondheim, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and many others are provided.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert Blumenfeld works as an actor, dialect coach, and writer in New York City. He has recorded more than 325 books and acted in numerous regional and New York theaters. Blumenfeld is the author of Accents: A Manual for Actors (2002), Blumenfeld's Dictionary of Acting and Show Business (2009), and many more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Limelight Editions (April 15, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879103728
• ISBN-13: 978-0879103729
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,827,074 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars both a super reference book and a delightful journey, June 9, 2010

By 

Stephanie Cowell (New York, New York United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blumenfeld's Dictionary of Musical Theater (Limelight) (Paperback)

The erudite Robert Blumenfeld has done it again! This book is a must for everyone interested in musical theater in any of its rich and infinitely varying forms. More delightfully, it is a book to browse where you will discover in one page many things you never knew about rare operettas, or current musicals, or that there are several versions of the Orpheus legend in musical form. Obscure musical or dance terms are easily explained; composers and legendary performers come to life. It's a perfect gift as well, written with knowledge and sometimes dry wit. Though you may find yourself ordering a lot of cds of musicals and operas you never knew existed and now can't live without, your world will be amazingly enriched by this four hundred page tour of the musical drama.

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Resource, February 6, 2012

By 

Dee Keaney (NORWICH, CT, US) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Blumenfeld's Dictionary of Musical Theater (Limelight) (Paperback)

This is an excellent resource book, that is easy to use. Everything you could possible want to know on the subject matter is right at your fingertips. Blumenfeld has it organized in such a way that finding the information is very simple. And I found myself reading sections because it was so interesting even though it wasn't material I needed.